CD Review
Savoy Brown
"The Blues Keep Me Holding On"
Mystic Records (54323-2)
by Dick Houff
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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Savoy Brown, featuring the legendary blues/rock guitar-flash, Kim Simmonds have produced their finest record to date with "The Blues Keep Me Holding On." Savoy Brown was quite frankly, among the top echelon in the British blues scene during the ‘60s. In 1966, the band was recording singles for the Purdah label which led to the "Shakedown" album—a classic and collectible in vinyl, I might add. In the early ‘70s, Chris Youlden left the band along with Dave Peverett, Roger Earle, and Tony Stevens—the latter three formed their own band Foghat. As a group, Foghat was quite successful. In the same breath, Simmonds rebuilt his band and went platinum! What I enjoy most in Simmonds is his staying power and dedication; which becomes quite apparent, when you lend your ear to this—his latest with an all new and upscale Savoy Brown. There are eleven tracks total and Simmonds penned six of them. The five covers were well chosen, and in all probability a good introduction to songs that you wouldn’t normally hear. The band does an outstanding job on the Willie Dixon classic "Little Red Rooster,"—my personal favorite of the five. The Simmonds/Peterson song, "Going Down To Mobile" is the first track and again—a personal favorite on the original scores. Savoy Brown is a tight, three-member happening with Kim Simmonds on lead guitar and vocals, Nathaniel Peterson on bass and vocals, and Tommy Compton (formerly with Johnny Winter) on drums. Take the band with an all-star guest list, including Duke Robillard on guitar and you have yourself a first class seat on the "A Train,"—don’t forget the disc! Highly recommended.
This review is copyright © 1999 by Dick Houff, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
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